Number of 3D TV Channels to Surpass Century Mark by 2014, Says In-Stat

[Press Release]

Early expectations of 3D TV were over hyped by the press, while current coverage laments the fact that 3D has not lived up to its promise. The reality is somewhere between the two extremes. 3D channels have been launched in North America, Europe, and Asia in 2010. More will come in 2011. In addition to linear TV channels, 3D content is being made widely available on pay-TV providers VOD systems. Those who are experimenting with 3D VOD now are expected to make linear 3D channels available as well. The result is an anticipated increase in the number of 3D TV channels to over 100 by 2014, says In-Stat (www.in-stat.com).

“Pay-TV providers around the globe who have HD systems in place have jumped on the 3D content being made available to them at a faster rate than many had expected,” says Michelle Abraham, Principal Analyst. “Many took advantage of the World Cup 3D coverage to test transmission of 3D over their networks, and some of them have now launched transmission of regular 3D TV channels. The competitive nature of pay-TV ensures that once one pay-TV distributor in a country is offering 3D, the others need to be fast followers unless they want to lose their top-tier customers.”

New research by In-Stat reveals the following:

• 3D live event coverage will grow in 2011 but challenges remain.
• Sports, movie, documentary, and music channels are most likely to move to 3D first.
• The largest number of 3D channels is currently available in Europe, where the large number of pay-TV providers play a role.
• As the costs to reproduce in 3D decline over time, the 3D content production will grow more quickly.

The research, 3D TV Services: It’s a Small World (#IN1104953MBS) discusses the state of 3D content production and distribution today and expectations for the future. A five-year forecast for linear 3D TV channels by region is provided.

Regions include:

• North America (includes Canada and the United States)
• Europe (includes both Eastern and Western Europe)
• Asia/Pacific (includes India)
• Latin America (includes Mexico)
• Middle East/Africa (includes Israel and Turkey)

Product Number: IN1104953MBS
Publication Date: March 2011
Number of Pages: 44
Analyst: Michelle Abraham
Price: $3,495 U.S. Dollars

See the original post, with links to purchase the report, here: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Number-of-3D-TV-Channels-to-Surpass-Century-Mark-by-2014-Says-In-Stat-1412222.htm

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3DTV gets reality check

[by Julian Clover, BroadbandTV News]

The early enthusiasm for 3DTV has been tempered in recent months following disappointing display sales. The true path, according to researchers In-Stat, lies somewhere in the middle with an anticipated 100 linear channels in the 3D format available by 2014.

In-Stat is anticipating an increase in 3D production across a variety of genres over the next 12 months. This includes live event production, cinema releases, and documentaries, which In-Stat points out do not suffer from the same doubling if production costs witnessed for other live events.

“Pay-TV providers around the globe who have HD systems in place have jumped on the 3D content being made available to them at a faster rate than many had expected,” says Michelle Abraham, Principal Analyst. “Many took advantage of the World Cup 3D coverage to test transmission of 3D over their networks, and some of them have now launched transmission of regular 3D TV channels. The competitive nature of pay-TV ensures that once one pay-TV distributor in a country is offering 3D, the others need to be fast followers unless they want to lose their top-tier customers.”

In a new report 3D TV Services: It’s a Small World, In-Stat says that pay-TV providers currently experimenting with VOD services will want to move to regularly scheduled channels. This runs counter to another industry argument that suggests linear channels might virtually vanish from TV guides.

In-Stat anticipates that 3D will take on ‘Fast Follower’ status with rival operators introducing the genre once a competitor has launched a service in the market. This is currently being played out in the Nordic region with Canal Digital and Boxer following recent publicity for the Viasat 3DTV offer.

See the original story here: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/03/16/3dtv-gets-reality-check/